Friday, January 18, 2008 9:29 PM CST
Our View: Mattoon takes right path in seeking city planner
By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com
Mattoon’s decision to hire a city planner should come as no surprise, particularly since FutureGen made its commitment. Not that things weren’t hectic at city hall before the announcement of the momentous project.
The FutureGen marriage to Mattoon didn’t come out of the blue. Of Mattoon, Tuscola, Charleston and other communities, much cooperation and hard work led to the altar.
Coles Together committed itself fully and vigorously to the project, as did a number of other public and private entities. And the state helped.
In sum, success required thousands of hours of manpower. Flexibility, the willingness to work together, relentless optimism and a myriad of other bits and pieces helped solve the puzzle. And FutureGen came.
Mattoon City Council, in Tuesday decision, said recent and rapid development proved the need to bring a city planner on board to “....ensure the efficient growth of the City.”
On the city’s plate are a number of projects, all demanding sustained efforts to complete. The city created four tax increment financing districts, two business districts; is involved in the crafting of a county comprehensive plan; and participated in the effort to bring the new I-57 interchange to fruition.
Acceleration of commercial development around the Route 16 I-57 interchange begs design. The city also looks to make the interchange on south U.S. Route 45 more commercially viable.
All this occurs as the city improves transportation, zoning, building and code enforcement and provides other services conducive to growth.
The council observed that other projects remain incomplete. They include a complete revision of the city’s subdivision ordinances, development of a comprehensive plan, and review of the practices and procedures of the city’s planning commission and zoning appeals board.
Mattoon and her ever-closer and ever-cooperative neighbor, Charleston, have entered an era promising significant economic, job opportunities and increased population. With these things comes the quest for professionals versed in the science of community development.
In our decision to go after FutureGen, we pledged to grow. But, growth cannot be achieved without adequate planning, and planning requires expertise.
The city takes the right path in acquiring a planner. The decision recognition of the importance of professional help in growing a community.
Mattoon increasingly hungers for comprehensive development. A point driven home by the intense efforts to acquire FutureGen and the realization this is only the first step of the journey.
JG/T-C Editorial Board
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